Paper
Thursday, 20 July 2006
This presentation is part of : Developing Measurement Scales and Inventories
Multi-Trait Multi-Method Validity of the Postpartum Depression Predictors Inventory
Michael Rice, PhD, ARNP, BC, Washington State University College Of Nursing, Spokane, WA, USA, Kathie Records, RN, PhD, Washington State University College of Nursing, Spokane, WA, USA, and Cheryl Tatano Beck, DNSc, CNM, FAAN, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
Learning Objective #1: 1. state the reliability of the Postpartum Depression Predictors Inventory;
Learning Objective #2: 2. identify the comparative validity of the Postpartum Depression Predictors Inventory when used during the prenatal period.
Objective:  The Postpartum Depression Predictors Inventory - Revised (PDPI-R) was developed to guide clinical practice and research efforts and assist with the early identification of women at-risk for postpartum depression (PPD), a condition with long-lasting health effects for both the mother and her newborn. As a relatively new scale, evidence has not yet accumulated to support the reliability and validity of this instrument. The purpose of this project was to examine the PDPI-R using a multi-trait multi-method approach.
Design:  A longitudinal design, guided by stress response theory, was used to follow women from their third trimester of pregnancy through eight months postpartum. 
Population:  English-speaking women (N = 139) in their third trimester of pregnancy were recruited from care provider’s offices or through self-referral in the Pacific Northwest. The sample had a mean age of 27 years (SD = 5.2) and were primarily Caucasian (88%). 
Concepts or Variables Studied:  Physical and psychiatric diagnosis (from medical records data), depressive symptoms (Centers for Epidemiology Study depressed mood scale), and postpartum depression (Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale) were administered with the PDPI-R during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and months two and eight postpartum.   
Methods:  Data were collected in prenatal offices after informed consent was obtained.  Data were collected in person during the third trimester and by telephone and mail at two and eight months postpartum. 
Findings:  Mono-method reliability estimates (stability) ranged from .36 to .46 (p < .001). Multi-trait divergent validity estimates ranged from .20 to .44 (p < .001). Multi-trait convergent estimates were also strong and ranged from .35 to .40 (p <.001).
Conclusions and Implications:  Multi-trait multi-method results provide support for the stability and construct validity of the PDPI-R.  Use of the valid and reliable PDPI-R may help to identify pregnant women at-risk for PPD, thereby promoting early intervention.      
Grant Support:  NINR 1R15 NR05311-01A2

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